Travel

[Main1234]

Hi hope everyone is keeping safe and as well as you can.

For those who are on RTX when would you think would be the best time to travel abroad, before or after your RTX ?

My partner is receiving it at 6 monthly intervals for 2 years he is also on a low dose of prednisone and MMF .

His diagnosis is GPA.

Thank you

[Nadine99]

If Covid wasn't around, we would travel at any time, husband on Rituximab every 6 months as well. We would probably just allow a few days after an infusion as a fail safe. Oh to travel again, we have a holiday booked for Sept, just in case we can go. Happy days.........

[Main1234 in reply to Nadine99]

Thanks for your reply. We are new to RTX and have only received it during lockdown so it’s difficult to know how to react to infections etc . We hope to go to the US again. .

[Nadine99 in reply to Main1234]

We're not going to be able to go across 'the pond' again. My husband has quite a few health issues and insurance is therefore really expensive. Go while and when you can.

[Investigator1]

Hi Main1234As Nadine says it’s more about COVID, I am on Rituximab and have GPA and my specialist has said allow a month either side, firstly to allow any problems to surface after an infusion and latterly if it’s starts wearing off there could be a tendency to relapse although this is rare. We are going away in October to Singapore. I have been told travel is fine just avoid anywhere that has high infection rates. That means anywhere in Europe is dodgy at the mo. I think the States in a few months maybe a good bet looking at their Vaccination rates. Please take care and stay safe.

[Main1234 in reply to Investigator1]

Thank you that’s reassuring.

[ZiggyDiego]

It’s not just the rituximab: prednisolone makes you vulnerable to infection. Infection makes you vulnerable to flares and relapse. Sadly I think it’s best to forget about air travel for the foreseeable future.

[Main1234 in reply to ZiggyDiego]

We have family in the US so will be making the trip as soon as we are able. We have been when partner was on steroids andAZA and had a great holiday .

Can understand your concerns .

[John_Mills Volunteer]

Have you had this conversation with his consultant? It’s a difficult call, because of COVID19, we have decided to put all ideas of travelling abroad to one side for this year.

All you can do is talk to his consultant, monitor the vaccination roll out here and in the US and then make a decision.

Travel insurance is a must.

[Main1234 in reply to John_Mills]

Thank you for your reply John we have not had a conversation with the consultant yet and made no definite plans. We will of course get a good travel insurance and speak to our consultant before making plans, it’s just a dream at the moment.